The Classes

Deb Pulikowski Clapp ’93 MAT has retired from teaching after 27 years in the classroom. She has joined her husband Dan working full-time at the 1634 Meadery in Ipswich, Mass. She writes, “Come by for a ‘Brown University Special’ flight of mead and say hello!”

Matthew Kapstein ’87 PhD is now professor emeritus at theÉcole Pratique des Hautes Études, Paris, France. He is also an associate of the Divinity School of the University of Chicago, where he taught as a visiting professor until 2022. In 2018, he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. His most recent book, Tibetan Manuscripts and Early Printed Books (Cornell University Press, 2024), has been awarded this year’s Toshihide Numata Book Award by the Numata Center for Buddhist Studies at UC Berkeley. 

Ian Malcolm Taplin ’86 PhD published Technology, Culture and Change with Cambridge Scholars Press in June. He is professor of sociology, management, and global studies at Wake Forest University and continues to research into the economics and organization of the wine industry in Napa, North Carolina, and England—the latter being his most recent project and the focus of his next book. He can be reached at taplin@wfu.edu.

Kirti Patel ’15 EMHL, an ob-gyn with more than 20 years of experience and graduate of Brown’s Executive Master of Healthcare Leadership program, has launched a new podcast called The Gynarchy. “I am incredibly excited to create a platform where women can learn about their health and important feminist issues of the day in a supportive and empowering environment. My goal is to break down the barriers of misinformation and stigma that often surround women’s health issues and inspire and empower women to take control of their health and lives.” The podcast can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and other common podcast platforms. Visit thegynarchypodcast.com to learn more.

Al Basile ’70 AM writes: “2018 marked the 50th anniversary of Bill Griffith’s and my Brownbrokers musical Good Times Illustrated Weekly, and I wanted to get some of the original cast together to work on a new project. During the later 70s, I worked for University Relations producing multi-image slide shows for the Development Office and the Freshman Week committee, so I had access to a small recording setup. Bob Sloan ’78 and I created a radio theater that ran for a half hour on WBRU Saturday nights for the fall ’77 semester, so I had experience writing and producing audio drama. I decided to write an audio play and enlisted the aid of alums who had been in Good Times—John Barylick ’71, Sharon Coleman ’69, Bill Griffith ’70, and Tony Lioce ’68. We had a lot of fun doing the play, which was called Flash Blind, and it won a silver award at the HEARnow National Audio Theater Festival in 2019. I’ve written, directed, and produced a new play every year since then; two of them, Hill & Dale and Open Question (which featured old friend Bob Sloan ’78), won Gold and Platinum awards at HEARnow in 2022. Last year I added faculty emeritus John Emigh to the company, and we’re now rehearsing our sixth play, which was submitted to an audio theater festival in the UK this winter, along with the Tribeca Film Festival (which has recently added an audio narrative category) in 2025. All of the plays in this run are distinguished by being written entirely in blank verse, but in the modern idiom, so they sound like natural conversation and hide their metric identity. Aside from the fun of working with old friends on new plays, I enjoy the chance to write parts tailored to the voices and talents of our alumni actors—something that they haven’t had done for them before. They don’t have to memorize lines or blocking, and age is not an impediment to their participation, as it can be for the stage (we are all veterans, and parts for actors of a certain age are few!). So we’re keeping the flame alive that was kindled for us in the Brown theater all those years ago. And we do excellent work together (the plays are all available at my YouTube channel).”

Henry Hollingsworth ’22 rowed with Team USA to earn bronze, while Emilie Bydwell ’08 became the first female rugby head coach to win an Olympic medal. As a member of the U.S. figure skating team, Vincent Zhou ’26 was presented with a gold medal more than two years after earning it in a team event upended by a Russian doping scandal.

Max Chung writes: “My multimedia installation, metroequilibrium, opened on Governor’s Island in New York City in September and ran through October 27. This audiovisual installation creates contrasting experiences from intense, urban sounds and sharp imagery to calming, human-based recordings. The still moments that capture sounds of respiration and vocalization create a reprieve within an architecture of chaos and disorientation. This immersive experience captures life in New York City with an overwhelming abundance of noise and light.”

Soumitri Barua ’21 MD and Vishal Khetpal ’20 MD were married in June . The celebration uniquely blended elements of their Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Members of the wedding party included maid of honor Alyssa Gonzalez ’21 MD (married to bridesman Alex Vidmar ’18), Isabel Kim, Michelle Kwon ’22 MD, Vishnu Kadiyala, and Edgar Garcia ’16, ’20 ScM, ’21 MD. They were joined by more than 30 of their closest friends from Brown, along with Vishal’s uncle Vijay Khetpal ’10, adding a special touch to the joyous occasion.

Katie Harris married Jake Miller in Boulder, Colo., on July 13. The ceremony was officiated by Oliver Pucker. Guests included William Spector and father of the bride, Scott F. Harris ’84. The couple are returning to the Bay area.

Suzannah Weiss published her first book, Subjectified: Becoming a Sexual Subject, with Polity Press on July 11. Suzannah writes: “It describes my search for sexual empowerment and lays out a vision for moving beyond the objectification of women, incorporating many ideas I learned while studying Modern Culture & Media and Gender & Sexuality Studies at Brown.” 

Theresa Arrioala ’10, a cofounder of Our Common Wealth 670, is a Grist 50 honoree. Grist Magazine, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization focused on climate and the environment, publishes the Grist 50 each year. The list includes scientists, artists, policymakers, farmers, social justice advocates, storytellers, entrepreneurs, technologists, chefs, clean energy wonks—all kinds of people pointing the way toward a just, sustainable future. 

Leah Segal, a tax lawyer at Goulston & Storrs in Boston, has been named a “New Leader in the Law” by Law.com in its 2024 New England Legal Awards for her professional excellence, outstanding leadership in client service, and dedication to the community. Leah’s tax practice includes commercial real estate transactions, mergers and acquisitions, tax controversies, and tax-exempt governance and compliance issues for educational, medical, charitable, and other tax-exempt organizations. Contact Leah at lsegal@goulstonstorrs.com.

Christopher Malikschmitt started working as the inaugural chief operating officer at Dorf Nelson & Zauderer LLP in September. Chris works out of their Rye, N.Y., office and is excited to be back in the New York metro area with his wife and three little boys. Contact him at malikschmitt@yahoo.com.

In March 2024, Marisa Hernández-Stern was sworn in as a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge by her father, Judge Michael L. Stern, and brother, Judge Benjamin Hernández-Stern ’03. In attendance were Marisa’s family and friends, including her mother Antonia Hernández, who holds an honorary degree from Brown, her brother Michael Hernández-Stern ’09, Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Susel Carrillo-Orellana ’00, Ashley Goodrich-Mahoney, Liliana Ornelas ’08, and her undergraduate history faculty adviser Professor Michael Vorenberg. Many others joined the ceremony virtually, including Kristin Bartholomew and Carlos Lejnieks ’00 

Adriana Valdez Young writes: “I was named associate chair of the MFA in interaction design (ixD) at School of Visual Arts in New York City, where I have been teaching design research and inclusive design since 2020. I am excited to have crafted new courses in accessibility, inclusion, and community design, which I have focused on in my own professional practice. At ixD, we push students to consider interactions beyond apps and screens to build people-centered solutions to real-world problems. I invite friends and classmates to the ixD studio to stop by for coffee, cowork for the day, tinker in our play lab, and even teach a workshop.” Contact Adriana at ayoung9@sva.edu or via interactiondesign.sva.edu.

Sara Schaff ’00 was recognized with a 2024 NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship in Fiction. She is the author of the story collections The Invention of Love and Say Something Nice About Me, a CLMP Firecracker Award finalist in fiction, and a 2017 Next Generation Indie Book Award Finalist for short fiction. Her writing has appeared in Catapult, Kenyon Review Online, The Missouri Review, Yale Review Online, Michigan Quarterly Review, LitHub, and elsewhere. 

John Polansky writes: “A group of 13 alumni and family gathered to celebrate 30 years of friendship and our 50th birthdays in August. We took an amazing horseback packing adventure deep into the wilderness of the Grand Tetons of Wyoming. We enjoyed hiking, riding, fly fishing, and fireside stories and poetry. We were hosted by Kim Havell ’96 and her husband Pete, who own and operate Pendergraft Outfitters. In attendance from all over the world were Tim Baldwin, Julian Baring, Porter Collins ’98, Josh Crosby, Nate Merriman, Mike Noble, George Patterson ’98, Jason Peifer, Rupert Roxburgh, Patrick Walsh and myself.”

Mark Tracy writes that he has joined the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society (IBES) as a professor of Practice for Sustainable Finance and Investing. He is honored to be joining a world-leading, cross-disciplinary team focused on climate, sustainability, and the environment, and he is looking forward to educating the next generation of Brown leaders who will play key roles in driving solutions to scale. He can be reached at mark_tracy1@brown.edu.

Adam Sobsey’s new memoir, A Jewish Appendix, was published in October from Spuyten Duyvil Press. Adam writes: “A Jewish Appendix is about my deep reckoning—first ambivalently, then traumatically, and then passionately—with a Jewish identity that meant little to me until a life-changing trip to Romania, where I have ancestry. My story is ‘unique, thrilling, and epically weird—in the best sense,’ according to Squirrel Hill author Mark Oppenheimer, and ‘the most variable and memorable use of the metaphor of the appendix since Brian Eno’s A Year with Swollen Appendices,’ in the words of Gene Smith’s Sink author Sam Stephenson. It’s also a very timely book in this moment of conflict in Gaza and resurgent antisemitism here in America.” Adam is the author of rock icon Chrissie Hynde’s biography, coauthor of a book about minor league baseball, and a contributor to The Paris Review, the Los Angeles Review of Books, and many others. He is a staff writer at PopMatters and Spectrum Culture. He earned his master’s degree from the University of Texas’ Michener Center for Writers.

Liza Cooper writes: “While I continue to work in healthcare to improve the pediatric experience at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone, I started a venture several years ago supporting women to find healthy relationships, especially after loss, divorce, or a long dating pause. My interactive group Zoom workshop series (FindLoveafter50.guru) helps participants identify their gifts, the qualities they seek in a partner, negative relationship patterns, and to navigate excitement and disappointment in the often daunting dating world. I welcome fellow alumni to sign up for upcoming sessions. My personal Moth story of finding love after divorce went viral this year (I Want That on TikTok and other platforms). Would love to hear from classmates at liza.g.cooper@gmail.com.” 

Jeff Orenstein writes: “I am happy to report that I crossed the English Channel in 11 hours and 22 minutes. Thank goodness it is over. Other than feeling like a fire truck hit me, I am mostly thinking, wow—did that just happen? And then: I am glad that I’m not swimming the Channel today. Or tomorrow. And likely again. On the up, the sunshine on my back was divine, I had an amazing crew, and the Channel was mostly flat. Interestingly to me, when I switched to a higher-tempo stroke to counter the tide, I could no longer hold a thought nor sing a tune, and the swimming rhythm became meditative, causing a trippy perception of time speeding up, noted from the programmed 30-minute hydration/nutrition feeds, which started to feel like five minutes apart. Making the landing was a lifetime highlight, triggering a euphoric feeling that has yet to leave me—a feeling that all the effort has been rewarded many times. I am hopeful that the story will be retold, by me, my family and friends, well into the future, sitting on a sandy beach, looking into a never-ending blue horizon.”

Gary Schwartz won a blue ribbon in the baking competition at the 2024 Minnesota State Fair. His opera cake was judged as the best entry in the international baking category. The Minnesota State Fair is the second largest state fair in the country, with attendance of 2 million people over its annual 10-day run. 

Sean McDevitt, a partner at Arthur D. Little and member of the TIME (Telecommunications, Internet, Media, and Electronics) and Private Equity branch, was appointed by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo in September 2023 to serve on the board of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority). In October 2024, Secretary Raimondo announced that Sean has been reappointed to serve a three-year term on the board. The board oversees activities to ensure that the FirstNet Authority and AT&T develop and operate a nationwide public safety broadband network that will best equip first responders to save lives.

Chuck Han writes: “On the summer solstice of this past leap year, I exchanged vows with Mutsuko Adachi at our commitment ceremony at the beautiful Bernardus Spa and Lodge in Carmel Valley, California. In attendance were fellow ’86ers Domenic Di Meo, John Mannato, David Geffen, and Wendy Chin, and leading the procession were our children Mina Han, Dylan Han, and Lauren Adachi ’22. We then ran into Amy Shimm-Noveshen ’88 and her husband Aaron the next day, who were celebrating their anniversary in Carmel Valley, returning to the place where they also said their vows.”

Eric Rosso writes: “Aloha! I offer wellness on the inside and out on the island of Oahu. I own one of the top yoga studios (Yoga Room Hawaii) and facilitate breathwork classes (breathworkwitheric.com). If you are ever in paradise Hawaii, please look me up.” Contact Eric at ericrosso1@gmail.com.

Geoffrey Wawro published The Vietnam War: A Military History. The book outlines in unsparing detail the war’s strategic debates, military operations, and political posturing, offering the most comprehensive history of the conflict to date. Kirkus calls the book “Among the best Vietnam War histories” in a starred review.

Andrew Kau writes: “A motley crew met for a boys weekend on the crystal clear waters of Torch Lake in Michigan. Participants included Peter Krupp, Tom Sander, Jim Weinberg, Paul Wood, host Brad Middlekauff, and myself. As could be expected, the ensuing discussions were raucous and spirited when throwing together, without proper guardrails, a judge, lawyer, political strategist, biotech exec, psychiatrist, and a venture capitalist. Some of the debates needed to be settled by kayak races across the lake and ping-pong elimination tournaments, all over much fudge and bourbon. Among the topics discussed were: the fault lines of gender and politics, the maximum stable angle of a 500-foot-high Sleeping Bear sand dune, caring for aging parental units, phone bill subsidies after kids graduate from college, and our most traumatic experiences at Brown (as well as best classes, which could be one and the same). In the end, the most that this crew could agree upon was that ‘poor is the hen that lays the egg.... in soggy grass’ (ancient proverb invented by Jim). Paul provided free psychiatric consultation during all of the above, which can be boiled down to two words of advice to being healthy, learn how to ‘Move On!’ Next year’s boys reunion (and spouses this time by popular demand) will be in Andy’s mountaintop retreat on Orcas Island—eagles and salmon included. Hopefully this time it won’t take over 75 texts just to arrange the car rental logistics!” Contact Andrew at andrewkykau@gmail.com.

Jaqueline Charlesworth, former General Counsel of the U.S. Copyright Office, has joined the Frankfurt Kurnit law firm as a partner in the firm’s Entertainment Litigation Group based in the firm’s Los Angeles office. A nationally known litigator and transactional attorney, she represents clients in copyright disputes and complex licensing matters, with a particular focus on music.

Philip Wey ’86 MD, a managing partner of Plastic Surgery Arts of New Jersey, recently returned from Nice, France, where he placed 7th overall (1st US Team) at the HYROX World Championships - Men’s Doubles Open (AG 60-69). HYROX is a new global fitness competition that originated in Germany in 2017. It combines running with functional strength. Contact Philip at pwey@psanj.com 

Ken Conca published After the Floods: The Search for Resilience in Ellicott City with Oxford University Press on Sept. 27. The book explores how Ellicott City, Maryland, recovered—or tried to—after two devastating floods in two years. Ken is a professor of environment, development, and health at American University and is a globally recognized expert in water politics and policy who lived in the community for 14 years.

Joe Hollander writes; “The roommates were together again—this time in Ponta Delgada, Azores, to jointly celebrate our 65th birthdays. They were Alessandra and Jeffrey Paul Greenbaum, Dave Muller, Diana Marcus Muller ’82, Barbara Levy Hollander, and myself.”

Sarah Sharlot Dietrich writes: “After nearly a lifetime in Texas, my husband and I have moved to Snohomish County, Washington, in the beautiful Pacific Northwest—in part to escape the heat, floods, and hurricanes, but mostly to be closer to our grandchildren (and their parents too). If any classmates are ever up this way, I’d love to catch up.” Contact Sarah at Sarahdietrich10@gmail.com.

Paul Ayoub, chair of Boston Law Firm Nutter, has had a busy 2024. Last spring he cochaired the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting and was recognized for Outstanding Contribution to DEI (for his cofounding and leading the Commercial Real Estate DEI Collaborative, a collection of several of the region’s largest real estate trade groups and leaders focused on advancing diversity in the commercial real estate sector). In addition, he has been recognized by the Boston Business Journal as one of the region’s Power 50: Movement Makers and by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly as a member of its inaugural Hall of Fame. 

Martha Zeiger writes: “I am an endocrine surgeon at National Institutes of Health. I, along with another surgeon from the Netherlands, was asked to go to Mwanza, Tanzania, to Bugando Medical Centre to help surgeons there start an endocrine surgery unit. In the photo below, I am the one in the center operating on a patient with a massive thyroid goiter.”

Richard A. Rosen writes: “I retired from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, a New York law firm where I had been a litigation partner since 1986. As of October 1, 2024, I assumed the role of senior vice president of legal advocacy at the Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, which provides strategic and legal guidance to Americans experiencing antisemitic discrimination and harassment, helping students, employees, and others obtain effective responses from universities and other institutions. When those institutions fail to comply with their legal obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and other laws, the Center seeks to hold them accountable through federal and state court litigation and through complaints to administrative agencies such as the Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Education. I am responsible for overseeing all litigation and administrative proceedings nationwide. I am also an adjunct professor at Columbia Law School, where I teach a seminar in complex litigation. I frequently teach overseas, and in recent years have been a visiting professor at law schools in Budapest, Hungary; Vilnius, Lithuania; and Odessa, Ukraine. I may be reached at rarosen826@yahoo.com.”

Robert Lufkin writes: “I am thrilled to announce that my new book, Lies I Taught in Medical School, has just been named as a New York Times bestseller. Based on my experience as a full professor at both UCLA and USC medical schools, the book has been described as a riveting, cautionary tale of how medicine has gotten things so wrong (and continues to) in the area of metabolic health.” Contact Robert at mail@robertlufkinmd.com. 

Communications Chair Rhonda Port Walker reports: “Mark your calendar for May 23-25, 2025! Our 50th reunion is almost here. A 50th reunion is a huge milestone, and ours will be even more special after missing our 45th. Reunion information will be sent only via email, so be sure to visit my.brown.edu to confirm that your contact information is accurate. If you have news to share or any questions about the 50th reunion, contact me at rpwalker@alumni.brown.edu or send your news directly to the BAM at alumni_magazine@brown.edu. Please consider joining our class site on BrownConnect+ at brownconnectplus.brown.edu and the nearly 300 classmates who are members of the Class of 1975 Facebook group (private group for just our class) at facebook.com/groups/103075568767/ 

Ken Field writes: “My newest album release, which I think might be of interest to the Brown alumni community, is The Canopy, Neuma Records, September 20. Music for the album was commissioned by choreographer and dancer Joanie Block (selmadanse.com) for her 2024 production of Under the Canopy, which focused on expressions of love, loss, and resilience from members of the Boston dance community.”

Class co–vice president for communications Scott Harris reports: “24 percent of our class attended our 50th Reunion, which is well above the percent turnout of 50th Reunions in recent years (specifically 242 classmates; 348 overall). Weather was terrific, comments were very positive, and many good memories. See the Class Facebook page for pictures. The class thanked Carol Norris Brown for her many years as a class officer including the past 25 years as president. Class Zoom calls have resumed on a now quarterly cadence. The first call featured Ken Field (saxophonist, flutist, and composer) and Dan Jay (architect, community volunteer, and outdoorsman).” 

Jay Butcher writes: “After a hiatus of more than 40 years, I recently returned to the stage, cast in Snow Falling Faintly by James McLindon (see photo, at left.) The play placed second at the Ten-Minute Play Festival of Lakeshore Players in White Bear Lake (Minn.). I was encouraged by being cast and hope to do more of the same in my retirement years. To my Sock & Buskin friends: I finally played a role my own age!”

Warren S. Boothman writes: “The Brown Rugby Septuagenarian Scrum Caucus (plus one) convened on a rainy Saturday in New Rochelle (N.Y.) last October to cheer the most recent version of the Club on to victory over Iona University. Making the show were Joe Steed ’73 ScM (supported by wife Rita), Dave Novack ’72, Warren ‘Turkey’ Boothman, Amleto ‘Pooch’ Pucci ’71, and Davie Mahon ’72. With a tight head prop and a couple of flankers, the boys were ready to go. As Davie M said, ‘like Timex watches, 50+ years of wear and tear, and still rollin.’ Hoping to see more of the (really) Old Boys on the Bruno sidelines.” 

John Whitehouse writes: “I’m pleased to report my latest book, From Vietnam to the Arctic Circle, Memoir of a Naval Officer in the Cold War, published by McFarland Press, is doing well. Several of the first chapters deal with my time at Brown, 1964-68. Brief reviews are available on Amazon.”

Class of ’68 welcome, congratulate and thank the new officers who will serve until after the next class reunion in 2028. Copresidents Sally Kusnitz Horn and Bob Bernius; cosecretaries Kitty Walker Keane and Marty Mueller; and cotreasurers Ancelin Vogt Wolfe and Chip Filak. Marty Mueller writes: “Our first task as your new officers was to send out the 2024 class dues e-letter to begin building a reserve to defray the costs (mostly, catered meals) of the 60th reunion. We hope everyone has already responded to that letter—if you haven’t, it’s never too late! Additionally, we urge all our classmates to make sure their alumni profiles and contact information are current. That can be done easily here: my.brown.edu/group/alumni-friends/profile. If you don’t yet have a Brown alumni account, now is a great time to set one up on this page because going forward, we will be using the new Brown Connect + platform for all class communications.” Contact Marty at martymueller1@aol.com.

Edward J. McEntee published Paradise Found: Photos, Memories and Contemplations on a Magical Island in April. The book documents the different aspects of Block Island through musings, pictures, and poetry across the different seasons. Focusing on the many scenic viewpoints and beautiful architecture, he’s able to show why the island is a draw for tourists and himself.

Gene Jaleski writes that he married Dolores Kelley at their home in Clyde Hill, Wash., in 2023. The event was attended by family and close friends. 

Class Secretary Barbara Smith Langworthy reports: “The class mini-reunion was held in Portsmouth, N.H., in early September. The classmates attending were: Glenn Cashion, Beverly Nanes Dubrin, Leslie Hart Eckholdt, Joe Fisler, Barbara Smith Langworthy, Mary Lou Clark Levine, Ann Reilly Mostoller, Bob Phillips, Ernst Rothe, Bob Tortolani, and spouses. The weather was perfect and the historic city, remarkable. Where will we go in ’25?”

Dr. Marilyn Jenkins-Madina published her memoir The Lure of the East: A Curator’s Fascinating Journey in May. Some biographical information can be found at https://archivesspace.mit.edu/repositories/5/resources/1229.

John Donovan writes: “After traveling with my wife Phyllis to 76 countries since our 1962 wedding, my body said ‘STOP,’ so we have. I had a long career in technology, ending up as an assistant vice president for telecommunications at Aetna Life & Casualty in Hartford (Conn.). I left Aetna in 1991 to start my own consulting business and finally retired in 1998. We were able to visit all seven continents and Greenland, traveling sometimes twice a year, and a few years, three times. We’ve got about 35,000 pictures to show for it and memories that will last forever. In 2018, we permanently moved to Boca Raton (Fla.) from Connecticut. We walk for exercise and enjoy our life and our family as much as ever.” Contact John at jnpdonovan22@gmail.com. 

Mark Joseph writes: “This past May I attended the graduation of my granddaughter Sylvie Weiman ’24. Her mother—my daughter, Cara Weiman ’92—graduated from Brown as did her husband, Bob Weiman ’91. My younger daughter, Kippy Joseph ’94, attended this wonderful University as did Bob Weiman’s sister, Pam Thiessen ’90. Their stepfather, David Good ’52, also matriculated at Brown. Now my grandson, Theodore Weiman ’28, is a freshman. Blessed by Brown, I graduated a long time ago.”

Jane Doane Anderson and Joan Hoost McMaster report: “Our first Pembroke Class of 1960 Inaugural Mini-Reunion was held at the Lodge on the Haffenreffer property overlooking Mount Hope Bay in 2003 and was enthusiastically attended by 15 classmates. Warm greetings and laughter accompanied our lobster bake as we rekindled our friendships over a sumptuous luncheon. Perfect weather and a tour of King Phillip’s extensive property with seaside views and breezes. In subsequent years, additional Pembroke Class of 1960 Mini-Reunions were held in Newport at Rough Point, Newport Art Museum, Redwood Library, and the International Hall of Fame followed by luncheon at La Forge Restaurant and a cruise of Newport Harbor and Brenton Point on The Flyer catamaran. Wonderful times and memories. The following classmates attended: Jane Doane Anderson, Mary Birdsall Cervoni, Hope Cranska, Joan Voelker English, Linda Blackman Feldman, Sue Heller, Barbara Little Jaffe, Dot Vischi Kelly, Rosemary Smith Kostmayer, Joan Hoost McMaster, Barbara Jones Nicholson, Deborah Kingman Ormsby, Minna Saxe, Ann Wennberg Seddon, and Marge Tingle.”

Caryl-Ann Miller Nieforth reports: “There were 25 attendees on campus for our 65th Reunion events last May. More than 100 men and women of the Class of 1959 contributed to our Class Gift, which topped $500,000! Thank you.” 

William E. Corrigan Jr. joined the Brown Club of Rhode Island Board of Directors in June, 1966. He served as president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and house chairman. Presently he is a BCRI trustee and a former member of the Brown University Commencement Pops Concert Committee 1966-2005. He served as cochairperson of the Concert on two occasions. He is the recipient of a 2013 Brown Alumni Association’s Alumni Service Award.

Marian Stewart Wenzel writes: “The absolute highlight of 2024 for me was attending the 75th Pembroke/Brown reunion in May. I wore my 25-year-old ‘Pembroke 49’ hat and was escorted by a handsome young Brown man as I walked down College Hill. I was 96 and a half. (We brag about our years to astound people that we are upright and cheerful at this advanced age). As we approached the younger classes they were giving me high-fives and fist bumps and cheering, to which I’d say, ‘Have a good life and come back.’ It was exhilarating! Keep in touch. Did you figure out whose grandma I am?” Contact Marian at elisgrammarian@bellsouth.net. 

John Manyak and Janet Harvey Manyak celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary. John was originally the Class of ’46 but enlisted to serve in the Army during World War II, where he achieved the rank of first lieutenant serving in the Pacific campaign in Okinawa. Janet was a sophomore at Pembroke when John returned to Brown to finish his education and they met and fell in love that same year. They were married on August 20, 1949. At the ages of 101 and 97, they still live independently in their own home in Vero Beach, Fla. They have four children, eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.  

Alan Greenglass ’75 MD published Curing Physician Management: Why Physician Managers Fail with Winterberry Press on May 16. Alan writes: “The book is written for physicians who are in or taking on a management role in healthcare, and for anyone who is managing health care professionals. Much of what has been written on becoming a successful physician manager comes from the business and academic communities and often takes a system-level approach, adapting elements from fields other than healthcare. Instead, the premise of this book is that much can be learned from understanding the personalities and values of those who aspire to leadership and management, what challenges might be unique to healthcare, and what strengths and weaknesses healthcare professionals might have as they enter management.” Contact Alan at greenglass4@comcast.net. 

Jasmine L. Tyler ’99 AM assumed the role of executive director at the Justice Policy Institute in February 2024. A seasoned and influential advocate for justice reform, her advocacy has played pivotal roles in the passage of landmark legislation such as the federal Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 and the District of Columbia’s Good Samaritan Overdose Prevention Amendment Act of 2012. She also helped to repeal the federal syringe exchange funding ban in 2016 and contributed to the passage of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016.

The George Abbott Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts will be presented to Nilo Cruz ’94 MFA on Nov. 11. Nilo gained national prominence in 2003 when he won the Pulitzer Prize for drama for his play Anna in the Tropics, for which he also received a Steinberg Award and Tony Award nomination. 

Jonathan Wiesen ’92 AM, ’98 PhD writes: “My Brown colleague Pamela Swett ’93 AM, ’99 PhD, and I are the authors of Nazi Germany: Society, Politics, and Culture, published with Bloomsbury on July 11, 2024.” Contact Jonathan at jwiesen@uab.edu. 

Cheri Shakiban ’79 PhD is a retired professor of mathematics from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. She is also the recipient of an honors doctorate degree of science from Heriot-Watt University in Scotland. For more information see shorturl.at/dABaf. 

Steve Greenbaum ’78 ScM, ’82 PhD, CUNY Distinguished Professor of Physics at Hunter College, and his department have received a five-year, $5 million award from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for advanced research on storing energy for use in space. He and several physics department colleagues will be developing and characterizing materials for advanced batteries and supercapacitors for planetary exploration missions. The project involves close collaboration with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and a significant portion of the funding will support student research internships there. Contact Steve at steve_greenbaum@hunter.cuny.edu.

Cristina Taylor ’20 MPA and David Randl were married on July 5 in Colfosco, Italy. Many of their friends from Brown attended the wedding, including Tamara Brattoli, Bruce Bybee ’23, Dorian Charpentier ’20, Aaron Gruen ’22, Shane Niesen ’20, Nathaniel Ostrer ’21, Christopher Yates ’21 PhD.

Janice Kruger writes: “I attended Commencement for my great nephew Seth Sabar ’24, who graduated with honors and a joint bachelor of science degree in mathematics and computer science. Three other alumni cheered Seth on in person: his parents Meg Van Achterberg ’93, ’97 MD and Ariel Sabar ’93, and his grandma Barbara Bromer van Achterberg ’62. My sister Stephanie Kruger Sabar ’60 cheered remotely.”

Class Vice President of Communications Geri Williams reports: “Reunion Cochair Janice Kruger and Class President Jack Renshaw represented the class of ’70 in the Commencement March this past May. Plan to join us at our 55th reunion next May and swell our ranks for the march.”

Dean Alexander writes: “Brown certainly helped set the stage for my engagement in two passions: work in the field of developmental disabilities and creative writing. I thank my ‘campus cousin’ Dr. Paul Alexander for putting out the welcome mat in a 1965 weekend visit to the campus. Recently I’ve wrapped up a series of journal and parent magazine articles on pica and autism/pica (“Pica and Autism/ Pica in Developmental Disability—Ports of Entry,” American Journal of Medical and Clinical Research & Review, 2024). Pica, the ingestion of inedible substances, is sometimes innocuous, sometimes lethal, and frequently associated with GI symptoms, diseases, and shortened life expectancy. I’m also getting ready to launch an audiobook (The Good Circle) based on a Special Olympics athlete whose running gifts propel him to compete in world Olympics. Previous works include three musicals performed in San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties.” Contact Dean at deanalexanderphd@gmail.com. 

Aaron Gokaslan ’18, ’19 ScM, has been featured in this year’s Mozilla Rise 25, which honors a select group of visionaries who are using AI to drive social impact. Aaron

Javier Sandoval’s first poetry book, Blue Moon Looming, was published by CutBank. It was reviewed by National Book Award nominee José Olivarez as ‘poetry for the unruly, and yes, the brilliant among us.’ Poems from the book have appeared in top literary journals. Contact Javier at javi.a.sand@gmail.com.

Max Ladow was selected for the prestigious Science & Technology Policy Fellowship in Sacramento by the California Council on Science and Technology. He is placed in the California State Senate working on the Housing Committee. In a blog post for CCST, he describes the surprising connections between their neuroscience research and the complicated world of housing policy. Contact Max at Max_Ladow@alumni.brown.edu.

Owen Greenwald’s sci-fi novel Weapons of the Mind was published by Will Dreamly Arts on July 2. Written with his longtime friend Paul Kivelson, Weapons of the Mind is the pulse-pounding story of one woman’s quest to clear her name and take vengeance on the one who framed her: a galaxy-spanning journey of moral dilemmas, political machinations, and planet-shattering secrets. Weapons of the Mind is the first in a planned trilogy and draws on many of the lessons Owen learned in his creative writing classes at Brown. Contact Owen
at owen_greenwald@alumni.brown.edu.

Indy Shome was named one of the Citizens of the Year, specifically the “Educator of the Year,” by the Philadelphia Citizen, which wrote: “In collaboration with his colleagues, Shome launched Future Visions Lab, a paid, after-school leadership program where students identify an issue in their community and develop a project around it. Students created a documentary about the connection between violence and environmental issues in Philadelphia and planted a garden at school where students grow vegetables and herbs they can use for cooking and natural
cosmetic products.”

Valeria Khislavsky writes: “I’m a humor author/illustrator. I just published The Ultimate Butt Coloring & Activity Book on Aug. 6 with Chronicle Books. The coloring pages and activities are suitable for all ages. The book’s precursor, The Cat Butt Coloring & Activity Book (Chronicle, 2020) has sold over 70,000 copies to date and continues to be a backlist hit.”

Tristan Freeman and his wife, Alejandra Rojas ’10, announce the July 7 birth of their son Langston Mateo Taylor Rojas-Freeman. Tristan writes: “Dad, mom, and baby are excited to see classmates at future reunions.” 

Dr. Nataniel Lester-Coll has been appointed chair of Radiation Oncology at University of Vermont Health Network. Contact Nataniel at nlesterc@med.uvm.edu.

Andrew Lee lives in the Boston area with his family. He serves as the assistant head of school at Fayerweather Street School, a progressive PreK-8th grade independent school in Cambridge, Mass. Contact Andrew at lee.hanyen@gmail.com.

Elizabeth Hoover received the 2024 Pat Holt Prize for Critical Art Writing from Lambda Literary. For more information see shorturl.at/hIZOy

The American Academy in Rome announced the winners of the 2024/25 Rome Prize. These highly competitive fellowships—the gift of “time and space to think and work”—support advanced independent work and research in the arts and humanities. Thirty-one American artists and scholars were named, including Devon Dikeou ’86, Vassiliki Panoussi  ’98 PhD, Megumi Aihara ’02, and Jenny Lin ’03.

In September of 2023, Freddie O’Connell was elected mayor of Nashville, Tenn. He and Whitney Boon ’99 are enjoying raising their daughters (ages 7 and 13). Whitney is practicing pediatric neurology at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Contact Freddie at tfo@alumni.brown.edu.

The Brown University Athletic Hall of Fame inductees for the 44th Induction Dinner held in October at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence included Eli Wolff ’00 (Joukowsky Humanitarian Award), David Chichester ’67 (Paul L. Maddock ’33 Award), Phil Estes (Special), Russ Fiore (Special), Gordon “Whitey” Helander and the 1960 Men’s “Cinderella” Crew (Special), Tommy Glenn ’14 (Swim and Dive), Tessa Gobbo ’13 (Crew), Paris Waterman Dupree ’11 (Lacrosse), Charlie Enright ’08 (Sailing), Devin Thomas ’07 (Baseball), Nick Ciarcia ’04 (Wrestling), Keira Heggie ’04 (Water Polo), Pam Dreyer ’03 (Ice Hockey), Chas Gessner ’03 (Football), Shelby Marshall ’93 (Softball), Oliver Marti ’93 (Lacrosse), Janet Repke Kahl ’89 (Soccer), Kerry Kelley ’87 (Basketball), and the 1975 men’s soccer team.

Shalinee Sharma published Math Mind: The Simple Path to Loving Math in August with Avery. Shalinee writes: “Math Mind is born from my journey—from a student unsure about math to dedicating my life to working with and studying young math learners, as CEO and cofounder of Zearn. The book busts the myths that hold us back, explains why math matters more than ever, and shares practical strategies for parents and educators to help all kids thrive in math.”

Peter Ermey, former music director of the Jabberwocks, has put together an oral history collecting the reflections of Wocks from the ’90s around the group’s arrangement of the Prince song “7,” which has been a staple in the group’s repertoire for more than 30 years. The oral history can be found at peterpedropierre.wordpress.com/2024/05/11/32-years-of-7-2/ Contact Peter at beatcrazy1980@gmail.com.

Jordan Silbert writes: “After building Q Mixers for 17 years from an idea in my kitchen to placement everywhere from Whole Foods to Walmart and from Laser Wolf in Brooklyn to Buffalo Wings everywhere, Ben Karlin and I brought in a CEO to run it and are now back to doing what we love—creating something new and trying to make a bigger impact. Our new business is called AGRO Power Jerky, a line of amazing tasting, high-protein snacks made from plants. Available in four terrific flavors, each bag has 25g lean plant protein, 40 percent less sodium than beef jerky, and none of the cholesterol or other issues of meat.”More info on page 33.

Neil Roberts published Creolizing Hannah Arendt on June 11 with Rowman & Littlefield. 

Jennifer Kleeman Wall writes: “I look forward to reading the BAM each time it arrives in my mailbox, and especially learning about what my classmates and friends have been doing in the last almost 30 years. My husband Jon and I are honoring the legacy of our son, Zachary, who passed away in November 2021 at the age of 16 from osteosarcoma. Since his passing, I have returned to school to obtain an MSW (my second masters!) because Jon and I started a nonprofit, Zach’s Bridge, which provides peer support for families facing an advanced childhood cancer diagnosis. We’re fortunate that so many in our communities reached out during Zach’s illness. Two of our board members are also Brown graduates—my father, Stuart Kleeman ’67, and my roommate, Kate Egan Gilbane ’97—and have been an incredible support, as have so many of my Brown classmates. We’d love to connect more with the alumni community.” 

Joshua Spector writes: In January I opened a Miami office for Rossi, P.C., a Los Angeles-based entertainment, sports, and new media law firm with a focus on Latin music. Our three boys didn’t get dad’s height but they got mom’s smarts and good looks. Maybe one applying to Brown this year. Other developments include certification as a FIFA player agent and curing insomnia with the eighth edition of my book, Florida Defenses and Procedural Objections. Venturing to New York and LA often. Reach out at js@rossipc.com.”

Joshua Berman published Colorado Hiking with Moon Travel on April 30.

Roku announced the original series Tracee Travels, helmed by award-winning actress and Pattern CEO and founder Tracee Ellis Ross ’94 and due to debut on its channel in 2025. “A champion of solo travel, Tracee invites viewers on her journey as she meticulously, laboriously, and sometimes ridiculously prepares for and travels solo to spectacular locations,” says Roku’s press release. “Tracee charts her own path as she explores the intersection of beauty, fashion, design, food, and culture at each stop.” 

Greg Retsinas has been named president and general manager at KGW, the NBC affiliate serving the Portland area and southwest Washington, effective June 3. He will be responsible for the station’s operations across all platforms, as well as community outreach efforts and driving results for advertisers.

Melisa Liana Vazquez writes: “After getting my PhD in law and religion from the Sapienza Universita di Roma in 2018, I started researching and writing about the intersections between law, religion, and culture. Indigenous water management, interfaith responses to the pandemic, overpopulation, and human rights and theological responses to ecological crises have been just some of the fascinating places my work has taken me. My new book, Varieties of Religious Space: Freedom, Worship, and Urban Justice, is about religious spaces in pluralistic environments and investigates how urban justice and freedom could be coconspirators in the pursuit of new ways of imagining and living in shared space.” Contact Melisa at melisalvazquez@gmail.com. 

Adam D. Harris and Kevin Voyles ’76 have been elected to lead the Wyoming Arts Council Board for the next two years as chairman and vice chairman. Appointed by Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, each is in his second three-year term. The Wyoming Arts Council supports artists and arts organizations in Wyoming through grants, partnerships, and assistance programs.

Catherine Harbour writes: “In June, Sameer Bhalotra (Harvard ’98), Melissa Bowen, Elizabeth Burr, Kai-Ching Cha, Yvette Cuca, Melissa Culross, Gilonne d’Origny ’98, Sarah Feldman ’89, Mike Jonath ’93, Matt Kelemen, Jeannette LaFors (Stanford ’91), Carrie Maslow, Chuck McCall, Erik Nelson, John Warren and I gathered at Matt and Jeanette’s home in San Francisco for a fun evening with tacos, Ratty-style ice cream, and CocoTerra homemade chocolate. Big thanks to Matt, Jeannette, and Carrie for hosting.”

 Gayle Weiswasser writes she is fulfilling a lifelong dream and opening an independent bookstore in Bethesda, Md. She feels strongly that in this divisive, polarizing time, preserving free discourse and the exchange of ideas is more important than ever. Visit at wonderlandbooks.com. 

Elyse Spector Kalmans writes: “I have been named the Board Chair for Holocaust Museum Houston, the country’s fourth largest and only fully bilingual (English and Spanish) Holocaust museum. I am the first grandchild of Holocaust survivors to chair the museum board. I live in Bellaire, Texas, with my husband Lewis, and we have three adult daughters.” 

Elysa Koplovitz Dutton published Christmas Forever: Escape to the North Pole with Penguin Random House in October. It marks her debut as a children’s book author and is the basis for an upcoming film. Elysa writes that her journey at Brown telling stories paved the way for her career in Hollywood as a producer and now writer.

Todd H. Weir announces the publication of two books. The first is his second monograph: Red Secularism: Socialism and Secularist Culture in Germany 1890 to 1933 (Cambridge University Press). This book contains research stretching back over ten years and explores the relationship of religion and socialism in Germany in the years 1890 to 1933. The second book is a volume he co-edited with Lieke Wijnia, The Bloomsbury Handbook on Religion and Heritage in Contemporary Europe. This culminates a five-year-long collaborative exploration of topics such as the relationships of religious heritage to post secularity, minority communities, museums, and contemporary art. 

Michael Keden writes: “No real news, just feeling nostalgic. I’ve been back to campus a few times in the past few years and I am always in awe of its beauty. To my many friends that I was so fortunate to have, I think of you often and regret not staying in touch these many years. I’d be delighted to hear from anyone who cares to reach out at hmk10.10461@gmail.com. Wishing you all well.” 

Melora Wolff published Bequeath: Essays, in September with Louisiana State University Press. She writes: “One of the ten personal essays in the book celebrates the late author and Brown professor John Hawkes.” She lives in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., where she directs creative writing at Skidmore College. Contact her at mwolff@skidmore.edu.

Thomas Mullen writes: “Sure wish I could’ve attended my 40th Reunion to catch up with my old friends, and (among other things) reminisce about some of the cool places on campus where we sometimes hung out while we were attending Brown in the early ’80s. But as one of my friends and former roommate, Jeff Boatright, pointed out, there’s always the 45th Reunion to look forward to and possibly an informal ‘reunion’ before that, presumably where one of us lives these days. Hopefully, one way or another we’ll all get together again someday!”

Debra Hendrickson, who is a pediatrician, published The Air They Breathe: A Pediatrician on the Frontlines of Climate Change on July 2 with Simon & Schuster. The book is about the impacts of climate change on children’s health and is nominated for the National Book Award. 

Vicky Oliver writes: “On Wednesday, May 8, the Class of ’82 threw a mini reunion at Jungle Bird NYC, a tiki-themed restaurant on Eighth Avenue in Manhattan. Tropical drinks and delicious appetizers were served to 65 alumni from the Brown University classes of 1980-1985. The party was cohosted by Marcia Dunn and myself. By all accounts, the party was a wonderful excuse to bond with fellow alumni from the early ’80s and raise a glass or two.”

Anne Regenstein writes: “Ted Lemon and I have been friends since our freshmen year in Perkins in 1976 and in January we took a wonderful three week vacation with our spouses to Costa Rica. On the Osa Peninsula we saw snakes, tapirs, monkeys, sloths, and anteaters. Ted and his wife, Heidi, are busy running their successful winery, Littorai. I am a semi-retired maternal-fetal medicine specialist enjoying the opportunity to travel more now that I am not working full-time.” 

Dan Miller writes: “I’m enjoying life in Newton, Massachusetts, with my wife, Linda; our kids are nearby. I’m semi-retired (still doing some IP litigation consulting; I’ll retire when Mick Jagger does; not before!) with plenty of time for board gaming and puzzle creation.” Contact Dan at millerandgreen@comcast.net.

Steven James writes: “I semi-retired last August after nearly 40 years in the biotechnology industry, the last 20 spent as CEO of three biotherapeutics companies in the SF Bay Area. I split time between the Bay Area, where I am on biotech company boards and Carmel Valley, where I essentially do nothing but relax and have fun. I’ve been married to my wife, Maria, for 30 years and have a 29-year-old son (a book editor living in Dallas) and 27-year-old daughter (film and musical theater actor living in Chicago). My wife and I oversee a handful of educational scholarship funds and charitable foundations. I see and speak often with Jim Diao and David Ricci. Dave and Laura Ricci stayed with us for the Big Sur Marathon, where their son, Simon, an elite marathoner, won the race handily.”

Doug Edwards writes: “Most of my time these days is spent on politically related activities, but art is my escape and how I retain a grip on sanity, though judging from what I produce, that grip is tenuous at best. My one month solo show went up at Kaleid Gallery in San Jose on June 7. It’s full of bizarre and occasionally unsettling drawings and paintings. You can check out my work on Instagram @randommarks.”

Jeff Dennis writes: “On June 3, 2023, my 65th birthday, I suffered a massive stroke, had emergency brain surgery, spent two weeks in a coma and a total of 10 weeks in two hospitals. Miraculously, I’ve had a complete recovery, with no lasting impairment. I received well wishes from people from all aspects of my life, including many of my Delta Phi Omega fraternity brothers. I’m back to work and a fairly normal life after a pretty scary ordeal.” Contact Jeff at jmdennis14@yahoo.com.

Jeffrey White writes: “My 100th technical paper, SBS Suppression in Fiber Amplifiers with a Broadband Seed, has been accepted for publication, so the Brown education has served me well. I might take on one or two more projects consulting for defense contractors. I’m happy to still be in touch with John Arthur and would love to hear from former roommate Greg Bunt and anyone else who might be visiting the area around Annapolis. My fleet has grown to one kayak, two DIY wooden rowboats, and a 17’ sailboat, with a DIY camper next on the schedule.” Contact Jeffrey at jeff.owen.white@verizon.net.

Allen Schauffler retired after 35 years in television news and video production and is honored to be inducted into the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Northwest Chapter Silver Circle. He sends many thanks and much love to colleagues at KTVZ (Bend, Ore.), KSBY (San Luis Obispo, Calif.), KING (Seattle), KOMO (Seattle), Al Jazeera America, Al Jazeera English, Red Jet Films (Seattle), and Central Oregon Daily News (Bend, Ore.). Contact Allen at schauff8@gmail.com.

Howard Frumkin writes: “At Trust for Public Land’s recent Day on the Hill event in Washington, D.C., Brown alumni found each other: TPL’s Director of Federal Climate Change Policy Bart Johnsen-Harris ’12 ; member of  TPL’s Washington Advisory Board Alden Garrett; former Brown Corporation member and member of TPL’s National Board Jerome Vascellaro ’74; and myself, senior vice president and director of TPL’s Land and People Lab. Unfortunately it was a dress-up event and none of us had brought our Brown t-shirts!”

Bob Mars writes: “Four roommates from Brown who were also teammates on the 1976 men’s ice hockey team got together in May. Greg Vezzosi rounded up John Ahern, Tom Colehour and myself for a week of fun at his home in Spring Island (S.C.) There was lots of storytelling (trying to remember if they were actually true), along with golf, skeet shooting, looking at old scrapbooks, bike riding, and tours of the area.” “It was great to see the guys again and create new memories,” commented Colehour.

Class Communications Chair Ronda Port Walker reports: “Mark your calendar for May 23-25, 2025! Our 50th Reunion is just a few months away. A 50th reunion is a huge milestone, and ours will be even more special after missing our 45th. Reunion information will be sent ONLY via email, so be sure to visit my.brown.edu to confirm that your contact information is accurate. If you have any questions about the 50th reunion, contact me at rpwalker@alumni.brown.edu and if you have news to share, send your news directly to the BAM at alumni_magazine@brown.edu. Also, please consider joining the nearly 300 classmates who are members of the Class of 1975 Facebook group (private group for just our class) at https://www.facebook.com/groups/103075568767/.”

Patricia McMillen published her first full-length poetry collection, Running Wild, with Finishing Line Press. 

Joanna Burstein Mitro writes: “Ten members of the Pembroke Class of 1971 who became lifelong friends 57 years ago, rooming and eating meals together in Andrews Hall, reunited in Madison, Wisconsin, June 18 to 21. Motivated by missing a face-to-face 50th reunion in 2021, Beverly Rodda Bowman, Martha Clark Goss, Lynne Gozonsky Hodgman ’72 AM, Christine Labowsky, Joan Markey, Susan Gibson Mikos ’75 AM, Joanna Burstein Mitro, Susan Nusbaum Molyé, Joyce Nakada, and Pat Lytle Rickly converged on Madison, Wisconsin, for two and a half days of reminiscing about our Brown days and catching up on the intervening years while dining, sampling Wisconsin ice cream and fried cheese curds, sight-seeing, sitting in the hotel hot tub, and enjoying late-night bottles of wine.”

Edward J. McEntee published Paradise Found: Photos, Memories and Contemplations on a Magical Island on April 15 with Stillwater River Publications. In the book he documents the different aspects of Block Island, R.I., through musings, pictures, and poetry across the different seasons. Focusing on the many scenic viewpoints and beautiful architecture, he’s able to show why the island has a draw for tourists and himself.

Mike Cardozo is busy in his retirement, currently serving as a commissioner on the New York State Ethics Commission as well as continuing his long-term efforts on the advisory board of Legal Outreach.

Hal Barwood is now writing books and reflecting on his years of working for Lucas-Arts designing and developing video games based on films such as Indiana Jones.

Dr. Marilyn Jenkins-Madina published a memoir, The Lure of the East: A Curator’s Fascinating Journey in late May. 

Class Secretary and 65th Reunion Organizer Caryl-Ann Miller Nieforth reports: “Our 65th Reunion was terrific! More than 25 members of the class of ’59 came back for delicious dinners at the University and Hope clubs on Friday and Saturday night of Reunion weekend. Our popular luncheon again featured a slide show of reminiscences and an open mic, allowing participants to enjoy sharing their current locations and thoughts. There were even a few activities that didn’t involve eating, like the Saturday Forums and the Jabberwocks’ 75th Anniversary concert that included our own Jim Steiner. Among those on campus were: Ann Anderson, George Balaschak, Roger Burke, Doris Stearn Donovan, Ann Mitchell Dunham, Carol Canner Gjelsvik, Neil Hirschfeld, Joan Appel Lester, Marcia Gallup MacDonald, Carol Holzapfel McCutcheon, Nancy Wernick Menzin, Caryl-Ann Miller Nieforth, Don Rotfort, Bill Silver, Marion Baker Slater, Robert Stein, Charlene Ingraham Underhill, and Linda Logowitz Zindler. Some of their spouses and kids came with them. Of course, the Commencement March of thousands on sunny Sunday was the featured event. In full regalia, Charlene Underhill was appointed 1959’s class marshal and Caryl-Ann Nieforth was an aide to the chief marshal.”

William Corrigan was presented with the 2024 Brown Club of Rhode Island Alumni Service Award at the Brown Club of Rhode Island Annual Meeting and Dinner held at the Providence Art Club on May 16. The award was given in recognition of dedicated service to the Brown alumni community.

Mary Francis Bishop, Marshall H. Cohen, Felice Rinder Kirsh, and Frank T. Wezniak write: “The relatively warm and sunny weekend on May 24–26 added a glow to the Brown University campus where thousands of undergraduates, graduate students, and new physicians would pass groups of professors, trustees, honored guests, and of course over 25 members, spouses, and children of our 1954 classmates. iPhones popped from the gleeful undergrads taking memorable selfies of our group, as if we were survivors of Normandy on D-Day. Some may recall that when we were undergrads in the 1950s our heroes of Normandy must have seemed as aged as those participating in the Battle of Bunker Hill to members of the class of 2024! The University generously supplied three complimentary meals to our classmates and guests starting with a Friday night welcome dinner at the University Club, and both lunch and dinner on Saturday at the Hope Club. On Saturday, May 25, Class President Ed Bishop chaired our 70th Reunion lunch meeting at the Hope Club, which was recorded by our adopted honorary recording secretary, Mary Francis Bishop. Her takeaway notes are included as follows: Class President Ed Bishop named our class officers at the Hope Club luncheon meeting; they included Dean Seibert as vice president, Frank T. Wezniak as treasurer, and Marshall Cohen as secretary. Ed stays on as president. Pembroke officers were named by returning President Felice Rinder Kirsh and are Jean Nostrand as vice president and Nancy Kaufman Judkins as treasurer. During its 50th Reunion, the Pembroke class made a donation to the Pembroke Center for furnishing an office in Pembroke Hall that included an identifying wall plaque. During this 70th Reunion, the women voted to donate the balance of their treasury of more than $6,400 to the Class of 1954 Scholarship Fund. On the Brown side, Treasurer Wezniak gave an accounting of the class of ’54 funds. Funds are entirely used to support students. Approximately two students per academic year are supported with $25,000 to $35,000 each. In addition to the class officers, everyone happily welcomed back the following classmates, including spouses, children and friends: Jon Berberian, John Chopoorian, Al Gerstein, Jerome Grieder, Sandy Hollander, Jack Maddox, and Hovey Tyndall. The Brown and Pembroke class of 1954 wishes all our classmates fair winds and healthy sailing ahead and, hopefully, see you all back on campus soon!”

 Lillian Carneglia Affleck writes: “Greetings to my remaining classmates and friends from other classes. Commencement and Reunion weekend this year commemorated our 80th reunion! Miracles of miracles I was able to represent the class of 1944…AND holding hands with my two daughters, I walked down College Hill. The rousing cheers of all the reunion classes, especially the graduates, made me feel like a rock star! The experience was breathtaking and emotional and I am ‘ever true to Brown.’”

Keren McGinity ’99 AM, ’05 PhD, writes that her new book #UsToo: How Jewish, Muslim, and Christian Women Changed Our Communities, is available to read or download for free via Open Access.

Matthew Hart ’91 ScM writes: “After 15 years as a paramedic and flight paramedic, I obtained my license as an instructor of paramedic education and am currently the lead instructor of paramedicine for Ascension Hospitals. Back in the classroom and loving it!”

Lisa Kusel ’88 AM published her psychological thriller The Widow on Dwyer Court on July 16 with Blackstone Publishing.

Howard Frederick Ibach ’83 AM writes: “As an adoptee, I was destined for an emotionally scarred life. Or so I was meant to believe according to The Primal Wound by psychologist Nancy Verrier. I almost bought into that story even though my lived experience bore no resemblance to her research. But something shielded me, call it my skepticism, my innate certainty, or my faith. But most of all I credit my adoptive parents’ instincts and their love, two facts I did not come to appreciate until I was in my sixties. In my debut memoir, Already Home, my journey, and the story of finding my birth mother, and then my birth siblings, is a tale of complexity and emotional upheaval filled with more than a few happy surprises. The lessons I learned about myself and about family will help make the paths of adoptees and anyone considering adoption easier to navigate.”

Kay Parker Scheidler ’66 MAT published Renegade Teacher: Inside School Walls with Standards and the Test with Luminare Press in June 2023. The book illustrates how mid-’80s Brown professor and national school change leader Ted Sizer created a program in which Kay taught at Hope High School, Providence, which better supported teachers to work in a radically different use of time and focus to help all students learn, a proposal for today’s public schools. Learn more at kayscheidler.com

Nora Lange ’10 MFA writes: “I have written a novel, Us Fools, a rambunctious, ambitious coming of age story that takes place during the Midwestern farm crisis of the 1980s, which paints a heart-rending portrait of two idiosyncratic sisters determined to persevere despite the worst that capitalism and their circumstances have to throw at them. Author T.C. Boyle has written, “This is a novel of heartbreak and beauty, presided over by one of the most idiosyncratic and surprising comedic voices I’ve encountered in recent times. In all, a smashing debut.” Forthcoming with Two Dollar Radio September 17, 2024. Contact Nora at: norajeanlange@gmail.com.

Matt Harvey ’10 MPP (see Sriram Krishhnan ’99).

Kate Schapira ’06 MFA writes: “My new book, Lessons From the Climate Anxiety Counseling Booth: How to Live With Care and Purpose in an Endangered World, was published in April with Hachette Go. The book offers models and methods for transforming our emotional responses to climate change into connection and action.” 

Greg Moffitt ’05 MAT (see ’02).

Greg Moffitt ’05 MAT writes: “I’m running leadership development programs for D.C. Public Schools. Jenny Lester Moffitt is being recognized with the 2024 Organic Champion Award from the Organic Trade Association to honor her work in government and support of organic agriculture and trade. She is currently serving as the under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs in the Biden-Harris administration at the United States Department of Agriculture after being confirmed by the U.S. Senate in August 2021. The whole Moffitt family is now living in D.C. Our daughter, Maddie, is a high school sophomore. We would love to see any friends and classmates whenever they’re in town.”

Wei Ying Wong ’02 AM, ’07 PhD, has been appointed president and CEO of the Alaska SeaLife Center, where she has served as chief science and education officer since December 2021. Her experience includes serving in executive roles at the Washington Sea Grant, Woodland Park Zoo, and the Philadelphia Zoo. She has received numerous awards and fellowships and is a 2019 graduate of the Association of Zoos and Aquarium Executive Leadership Development Program.

Walker D. Mills coedited On Contested Shores Volume 2: The Evolving Role of Amphibious Operations in the History of Warfare with Timothy Heck and B.A. Friedman. This collection is a volume of essays on amphibious warfare, available at no cost from the Marine Corps University Press website. Contact Walker at walker_mills@alumni.brown.edu.

Suzannah Weiss’s first book Subjectified: Becoming a Sexual Subject was published in June with Polity Press. Suzannah writes: “It talks about sexual empowerment from a lens incorporating personal experience and academic theory.” 

Eunice Hong’s first novel, Memento Mori, will be published by Red Hen Press on Aug. 13. Eunice writes that she wrote the first draft of the book in 2011 when she was a student in Renee Gladman’s class at Brown, and after ten years of sporadic revisions, she won the 2021 Red Hen Press Fiction Award. More information about the book and Eunice’s other creative works can be found on her website, eunicehong.com. Contact Eunice at eunice_hong@alumni.brown.edu.

Michelle Ramadan writes to share that she started Meesh Pottery, a small artisan pottery business. She also teaches pottery classes to adults at a local community art center in Massachusetts. Michelle writes: “So if you live around Boston and want to get muddy look me up!” 

Harry Kashdan’s book, Resilient Kitchens: American Immigrant Cooking in a Time of Crisis, was nominated for a James Beard Award in media for social justice and advocacy. The book is a collection of essays and recipes by American immigrants in the food industry—chefs, restaurateurs, food justice activists, scholars, and more, talking about their experiences during the Covid pandemic and the importance of food to their journeys and identities. Harry writes: “We’re so proud of the book and a bit overwhelmed by the nomination; the recognition really suggests that the importance of what we tried to do with this project is penetrating. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that the concern for diversity and representation demonstrated in the book began, for me, with my Brown education.”

Eli Palacios writes: “I was named the new director of the Center for Excellence in Educator Effectiveness (CE3) at Region One Education Service Center in South Texas. I have served in education for more than 17 years and move into this role to focus on continuing to support the development of effective educator practices that impact student growth and achievement across the region and state. I was also named Pastor of St. Paul United Church of Christ in Corpus Christi on March 31, where I serve and lead children and youth ministries, as well as digital outreach ministries.”

Dr. Sean Thomas was featured as a “power player” in the 2024 spring edition of Industry magazine. See pg. 73 on issuu.com/industrymagazine/docs/si_mar_2024links.

Joseph Penza writes: “I started a municipal archive in rural East Tennessee about 13 years ago and was recently featured on our local NPR affiliate, WETS, regarding a state grant I received for creating a digital historic recipe database as a way to document local heritage through food and cooking. As city archivist I’ve collected hundreds of linear feet of documents, photographs, maps, deeds, audio and visual recordings, artifacts and textiles. I received numerous state grants to promote preservation and public access to records and information. From a community perspective, being a member of the public library staff has enabled me to present educational programing at all levels of local schools and civic organizations, start a skateboarding club for youth adversely affected by the opioid crisis, and help in creating distribution policies and practices for clothing and food for our unhoused population as well as free narcan for anyone in the community in need. Creating community archives is my passion, but it loses its relevance if the community itself isn’t thriving. Thus, I take very seriously all the hats I have to wear, from dressing up as a pink T-Rex for story time to assisting recent parolees in developing resumes and seeking public housing, to taking out the trash, or plunging a toilet—it’s all just part of the job I love. If you’d like to know more about our little library, feel free to reach out at jpenza@cityofelizabethton.org.”

Together with Maria Hawilo, Premal Dharia and James Forman Jr. ’88 published Dismantling Mass Incarceration, A Handbook for Change on July 9 with Macmillan. 

Sriram Krishnan writes: “I was on Jeopardy! during its Champions’ Wildcard event from Jan. 16 to 20, 2024, for episodes that aired Feb. 12 and 16, 2024. I was on the show back in 2022 and it was a thrill to come back and see how one of my favorite TV shows was made. In addition to being on the show itself, it was a particular thrill to be able to spend time with other contestants on my shoot schedule, including fellow Brunonian Matt Harvey ’97, ’10 MPP, whom I had not met previously. Of course I had my pom poms out for Justin Bolsen ’26 in this year’s Tournament of Champions.” Contact Sriram at sriram@alumni.brown.edu.

Jordan Silbert announces that after building Q Mixers for 17 years (!!!), an idea that started in his backyard and later expanded to placement everywhere, Ben Karlin ’98 and he are back to doing what they love: creating something new and trying to make a bigger impact. Their new business is called AGRO POWER Jerky, a line of amazing tasting, high-protein snacks made from plants. Available in four terrific flavors, each bag has 25g lean plant protein, 40 percent less sodium than beef jerky, and none of the cholesterol or ethical issues of meat. Their products are available at Amazon.com/AGRO and more information is at getagro.com.

Bekah Saxon writes: “After 16 years with the Virginia Education Association organizing educators in and around Charlottesville, I took a similar job in Connecticut. My wife, Charlene Green, and our son, Max, along with our two dogs, followed me from beautiful central Virginia to Bridgeport, Connecticut, where I now serve as the union rep for the Bridgeport Education Association. It’s nice to be back in New England, and close to my parents. I would love to catch up with any 1996 Brunos in the area.”

Dorian Solot and Marshall Miller ’96 published All About Penises: A Learning About Bodies Book and All About Vulvas and Vaginas: A Learning About Bodies Book on April 30 with Henry Holt and Co. Dorian and Marshall are nationally recognized sex educators and have presented programs on sexuality topics at universities, businesses, high schools, national conferences, and adult education centers over the past 20 years.

Jeff Wetzler published his first book, Ask: Tap Into the Hidden Wisdom of People Around You for Unexpected Breakthroughs in Leadership and Life, with Hachette on May 7. Jeff writes: “Throughout my career, I’ve seen just how often smart people fail to learn what the people around them really think, feel, and know. The only effective remedy I’ve found to this problem is asking, which is what this book is all about. My hope is that Ask contributes to a more curious, collaborative, and connected world.” You can learn more at askapproach.com or contact Jeff at jeffwetzler@gmail.com.

Anjali Mitter Duva writes that after publishing her first book, Faint Promise of Rain, in 2014 and hearing so many stories of writers frustrated with the publishing industry, she has launched her own publishing company, Galiot Press, with the aim of shaking things up in the industry. She would love to receive queries from writers in the Brown community. In the meantime, she writes that she had a fabulous reunion in Brooklyn with classmates Fran Balamuth, Dara Herman, Ariana Kahn ’96, Tamar Renaud, and Marina Vivarelli. Contact Anjali at anjalimduva@gmail.com.

Jessica Strom Rutherford writes: “Earlier this year, I joined Meister Seelig & Fein as a partner in the Intellectual Property and Commercial Litigation Groups. I continue to work with creatives and entrepreneurs to protect and enforce their intellectual property rights. My husband Jason (Grinnell ’93), our girls Melanie (Northeastern ’26) and Nina (American ’28), and I still live in Wilton, Connecticut. We visited my mother Jane Golin Strom ’67 in Tampa, Florida.” Contact Jessica at jessicarutherford@earthlink.net.

Marc Kolb writes: “Life has certainly been interesting over the past 16 months in Northfield, Vermont. After 28 years of being a college football coach, I decided it was time to hang up the whistle and became the director of athletic communications at Norwich University. A year later, I took on the combined role of director of campus and athletic communications. My wife Lisa continues to do great work with Vermont Emergency Management as a hazard mitigation grants manager, especially considering the flooding Vermont has sustained over the past year. As we reflect on the whirlwind of recent or upcoming activity, including our youngest son earning valedictorian at his high school graduation last May, our daughter and oldest son both graduating from Norwich, and two weddings (December 2023 and April 2024), we appreciate the journey.” Contact Marc at mkolb@norwich.edu.